Goiter News

THURSDAY, July 13, 2017 – Poor thyroid function may diminish kidney dialysis patients' health and quality of life, a new study suggests. Hypothyroidism – a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone – is common in dialysis patients, but how it affects them has been unclear. Dialysis is treatment for kidney failure, where patients need a machine to filter their blood of wastes, salts and extra fluids. This study included 450 dialysis patients who completed questionnaires every six months and had their thyroid function assessed. Poor thyroid function was associated with poorer health-related quality of life, including low energy, increased fatigue, reduced physical function and greater pain. "Given the high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and low levels of quality of life in dialysis patients, future research is needed to determine the underlying ... Read more

WEDNESDAY, May 24, 2017 – When your thyroid isn't working properly, it can cause a lot of problems. It's important to understand what your thyroid does and to be aware of signs that can signal a health issue. The thyroid is a small gland located near the base of your neck. Its primary job is to produce the hormones that control many bodily functions, including how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. If your thyroid produces too many hormones, your metabolism quickens. This problem, called hyperthyroidism, can cause symptoms like anxiety and irritability, weight loss and a rapid heart beat. You may have muscle weakness or trembling in your hands or fingers. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones. You might feel tired or sluggish and even depressed. You might experience weight gain, muscle weakness and possibly constipation. In either case, ... Read more

THURSDAY, Jan. 26, 2017 – Regular self-exams play an important role in early detection of thyroid disease, a specialist says. That's a timely reminder because January is Thyroid Awareness Month. "The number of cases of thyroid cancer is rising, and while in most cases the outcomes of treatment are favorable, some patients present with disease that has progressed and may be more difficult to treat," said Dr. Ilya Likhterov. He is an ear, nose and throat doctor in New York City. About 200 million people worldwide have thyroid disease. Of more than 20 million Americans with thyroid disease, only four out of 10 know they have it, according to the American Thyroid Association. "While in most patients thyroid cancer develops without signs or symptoms, patients who have had significant exposure to radiation or who have first-degree family members with a history of thyroid cancer need to be ... Read more

THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 2016 – People with migraines and other headache disorders have a greater risk of a thyroid disease known as hypothyroidism, a new study suggests. Hypothyroidism occurs when the body doesn't produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. This can cause mood swings, weight gain, hair loss, fatigue, constipation and irregular menstrual cycles, according to researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The study included more than 8,400 people. The volunteers were followed for 20 years as part of a medical monitoring project. People with pre-existing headache disorders – such as cluster or tension headaches – had a 21 percent higher risk of hypothyroidism, the investigators found. And people with a possible migraine disorder had a 41 percent greater risk. The findings suggest that people with migraines are particularly susceptible to hypothyroidism. ... Read more

TUESDAY, May 10, 2016 – Two cases of children who developed iodine deficiency highlight the risks of putting too many restrictions on young kids' diets, researchers say. The doctors said that the children – aged 2 and 5 – developed iodine deficiency because their diets lacked salt, dairy products, bread and other sources of the mineral. Iodine deficiency is common in developing countries, but was virtually eliminated in the United States after iodized salt was introduced almost a century ago. However, it can still happen if a child's diet is strictly limited, said study author Dr. Brigid Gregg. She is a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. "Parents should be aware that if they're really restricting the foods their children eat, iodine deficiency is a possibility," Gregg said. The body needs iodine to make thyroid hormones, which ... Read more

THURSDAY, Oct. 8, 2015 – Patients who undergo thyroid removal may be less likely to suffer complications if their surgeon performs many such surgeries each year, a new study says. Removal of the thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, is a common operation. More than 72,300 total thyroidectomies are performed in the United States annually, usually to treat thyroid cancer or benign thyroid diseases, the study authors said. The authors examined data from nearly 17,000 American adults who had their thyroid removed between 1998 and 2009. About half these patients had cancer, and the other half had thyroid disease. Overall, 6 percent of the patients had complications after their surgery, such as damage to voice box nerves, excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, breathing or heart problems, hormone deficiency and death. Complication rates were 4 percent among patients whose surgeon ... Read more